pass the time
idiom
: to let time or a period of time go by especially while doing something enjoyable
We played games to pass the time on the bus.
Examples of pass the time in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The lounge had a small selection of magazines to pass the time, and the free Wi-Fi was decent enough to download a high-definition movie in about three minutes.
—
Scott Campbell, Travel + Leisure, 6 Apr. 2025
If that happens, many of them will probably pass the time by watching movies or playing video games — and dreading a possible Sunday doubleheader before flying overnight to Detroit.
—Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025
These gifts have included a patient’s favorite food, fluffy blankets, a puzzle to pass the time and more.
—Hansa Bhargava, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
But surely the they/thems can find some better way to pass the time than setting themselves and everything else on fire.
—Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pass the time
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Scott Campbell, Travel + Leisure, 6 Apr. 2025
If that happens, many of them will probably pass the time by watching movies or playing video games — and dreading a possible Sunday doubleheader before flying overnight to Detroit.
—Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025
These gifts have included a patient’s favorite food, fluffy blankets, a puzzle to pass the time and more.
—Hansa Bhargava, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
But surely the they/thems can find some better way to pass the time than setting themselves and everything else on fire.
—Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pass the time
Cite this Entry
“Pass the time.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pass%20the%20time. Accessed 11 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share